Is there a new Pay-to-Escape-Japan tax?

[Taro Toporific]

Here's a mega-weird question I just have been asked by a lucky kid who is escaping Japan after a working holiday.

[INDENT]Residence tax --Is it true I'll have to pay some cash when I leave the country? Should I get a re-entry permit or a return ticket to make it appear like I'm coming back to Japan to avoid the residence tax? [/INDENT]

Has this kid found a new source of Japanese drugs or is there a new escape-Japan tax being enforced at Narita? For FGs in Japan who are not working at a job withholding for taxes, etc., how can residence tax be enforced since all withholding based on one's previous year's income in Japan (ZERO for a noob gaijin)???

[kamome]

Here's a mega-weird question I just have been asked by a lucky kid who is escaping Japan after a working holiday.
[INDENT]Residence tax --Is it true I'll have to pay some cash when I leave the country? Should I get a re-entry permit or a return ticket to make it appear like I'm coming back to Japan to avoid the residence tax? [/INDENT] Has this kid found a new source of Japanese drugs or is there a new escape-Japan tax being enforced at Narita? For FGs in Japan who are not working at a job withholding for taxes, etc., how can residence tax be enforced since all withholding based on one's previous year's income in Japan (ZERO for a noob gaijin)???

I've never heard of that. There's no w/h for residence tax and immigration doesn't collect cash for such taxes. If he's really concerned, just buy a round trip ticket and don't take the return flight (it's probably cheaper that way anyway).

[Taro Toporific]

I've never heard of that. There's no w/h for residence tax and immigration doesn't collect cash for such taxes.

I cannot figure out how passport control officers at the airport would be collecting taxes either. Here's the follow-up email I received.

[color="DarkSlateGray"][INDENT]I heard it from a guy I work with who just left to go home to Canada. I was told it's worthwhile getting a re-entry visa and a return ticket because it'll be cheaper than whatever taxes you're meant to pay when you depart. Although it doesn't make sense to me. Maybe Nova doesn't withhold residency tax?
But you know, you're right, it doesn't make much sense.
Crazy Canucks.
[/INDENT][/color]

[American Oyaji]

I didnt have to pay anything when I split Japan.

[Gilligan]

FWIW, I remember the first time I lived in Japan (between 1990 and 1994), when I left I had to pay residence taxes for my last year. But as I recall it wasn't something that I did at Narita, it was something that I did at the kuyakusho (I think). Since it was so long ago and because my wife took care of it, I don't really remember the specifics. I do remember, though, that I had heard of a number of people not paying it, and the only reason that I did pay it was because I knew that I'd be coming back.

[Taro Toporific]

... I had heard of a number of people not paying it, and the only reason that I did pay it was because I knew that I'd be coming back.

To renew your visa you now have to show proof that you paid your residence tax. In the dark ages you did not have to show this proof and so many gaijin just changed their ward of residence to avoid the tax. Twenty years ago, it was possible to go for several years without paying residence tax---now a gaijin will get nailed as soon as try they to renew their visa. I had one gaijin friend who overstayed his visa for nine years and therefore never paid his residence tax. Immigration just banned/black-listed him but they didn't push for payment of residence tax and he was able to leave without paying when he "deported" himself in 2004.

[Oradea]

Gilligan is quite right.

If you are a responsible citizen with a working visa, leaving japan, you are requested to pay the residence tax at the city hall before you head off to the airport.


Responsible citizens.........................lol

[spyder]

Moved to: http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/showthread.php?p=154571#post154571

[Taro Toporific]

To renew your visa you now have to show proof that you paid your residence tax. In the dark ages you did not have to show this proof and so many gaijin just changed their ward of residence to avoid the tax.

WRONG!
I was at the main Immigration Office in Shingawa yesterday, and they didn't ask anything about my ward or national taxes to renew my spouse visa.

The immigration person giggled when I mentioned that in the past I've been required to show proof of paid ward and national taxes. In very natural homestay English, she slyly whispered that request was made by some, "case-by-case crazy."

CONFUSING POINT: To renew a work visa you can be required to show payment of ward and national taxes.

[GomiGirl]

CONFUSING POINT: To renew a work visa you can be required to show payment of ward and national taxes.

I always need to show my national tax report when I renew my work visa. But for spouse visa it is different.

Yes immigration is a minefield...

(GG - hoping her BF's new visa comes through before we head out of the country on a holiday. Is it possible to get special permission to leave and come back while the visa is being processed?)

[ttjereth]

WRONG!
I was at the main Immigration Office in Shingawa yesterday, and they didn't ask anything about my ward or national taxes to renew my spouse visa.

The immigration person giggled when I mentioned that in the past I've been required to show proof of paid ward and national taxes. In very natural homestay English, she slyly whispered that request was made by some, "case-by-case crazy."

CONFUSING POINT: To renew a work visa you can be required to show payment of ward and national taxes.

They specifically told me (via phone and email) to bring proof that I paid my ward taxes both for renewing my spousal visa and for applying for long term residency (filed separately just this past week). This has been the first time I have needed to bring proof of my ward/tokyo taxes for renewing my spousal visa.

It's still not listed as a requirement on the imminkyoku website (English or Japanese), but I have found that pretty much everything they do is "case by case" anyway.

The whole reason I even bother emailing them is so that I can have printed proof of what materials they told me I need for whatever red tape monkey dance they have me doing at the time.

Not that it matters, since when they request some paperwork I didn't prepare and that isn't listed in the requirements THEY SENT ME by email, I show them the email and the fact that whatever document isn't listed and they just tell me whoever wrote the email made a mistake... no apologies or excuse me's or anything...

[Skrelton]

I'm leaving Japan next month after several years on a still valid working visa. Am I supposed to give them my gaijin card at Narita? I've heard that's what you're supposed to do.

[Greji]

I'm leaving Japan next month after several years on a still valid working visa. Am I supposed to give them my gaijin card at Narita? I've heard that's what you're supposed to do.

You have said the key yourself. "that's what your supposed to do." If you have a valid re-entry permit, most frequent travelers have the multiple, there is no indication that you are just not going on another business trip, soon to return. However, since this card records your presence and/or activities while an alien in Japan, you could possibly run into some administrative difficulties if you ever come back some time in the future, if you keep it for an omiyage.

The odds would probably be against this, but it might be worth a thought!

However, If you do not have a re-entry permit, this would be a non-player anyway, as they are supposed ask for it when you clear immigrations.

[Mulboyne]

Handing in your card is one way of fixing your departure date for tax purposes.